NEWS

(L-R) Judy Nelson (RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer), Ruby & Sam (RNLI Lifeguards), Ivor Paul (RNLI Launch Authority), Perry Walton (RNLI Coxswain), Garth Anderson (The Causeway Shantymen Engagement Officer and Event Lead), Chris Millar (The Causeway Shantymen Chairman and Musical Director) Northern Ireland’s coastline will ring with sea shanties, maritime storytelling and traditional music this summer as The Causeway Shantymen prepare to host a major cross-country Shanty Weekend

Portrush RNLI Inshore Lifeboat ‘The Ken Blair’ Two kayakers were rescued off the north coast on Wednesday afternoon after getting into difficulty in the water near Ramore Head in Portrush. Volunteer crew members from RNLI were called into action after reports that two people had ended up in the sea alongside their kayaks just off the popular coastal headland. The incident prompted the launch of the Portrush RNLI Inshore Lifeboat, with the rescue operation unfolding shortly af

A casualty with a suspected broken leg was rescued from a beach earlier today (Monday 25 May) after HM Coastguard Larne and the volunteer crew of Larne RNLI launched a joint emergency response. The incident unfolded in a difficult coastal location where access for ambulance crews was limited and changing tidal conditions created additional pressure for rescuers working on scene. Coastguard teams arrived quickly and worked alongside the RNLI crew to stabilise the casualty befo

Larne RNLI’s new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat Machiko Nancy Larne RNLI’s new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat Machiko Nancy was launched for the first time on Sunday afternoon after two crew members onboard a broken-down RIB got into difficulty off the County Antrim coast. The volunteer crew were requested to launch at 2.48pm on Monday 25 May following a call from HM Coastguard after a member of the crew onboard the vessel reported that they had suffered a breakdown w

The RNLI is urging people across Northern Ireland to remember a simple piece of advice that could save their life this summer as warmer weather and the Bank Holiday weekend are expected to bring large crowds to beaches and inland waterways. The charity has launched its annual ‘Float to Live’ campaign ahead of the busy summer season, warning that panic can quickly become deadly if someone gets into difficulty in the water. With thousands expected to head to the coast over the

The RNLI has issued its own urgent Mayday call after new figures revealed its volunteer lifeboat crews across Northern Ireland were launched 235 times in 2025, bringing 214 people to safety, including three lives saved. The newly released data, published today by the lifesaving charity, also shows that 80 of those call-outs took place in darkness, underlining the scale and intensity of demand facing volunteer crews at the region’s 10 lifeboat stations. Alongside the lifeboat

An eight metre yacht with one person on board was safely brought to shore off the Causeway Coast on Wednesday morning, April 8, after suffering engine trouble near the Skerries, prompting a call-out for Portrush RNLI’s inshore lifeboat. The volunteer crew was tasked by HM Coastguard at 11.29am following reports that the vessel was in difficulty off the Skerries, close to Portrush Harbour. In calm spring conditions, with clear skies, good visibility and only a light wind, the

One of the North Coast’s most eagerly anticipated community events is officially back, with organisers confirming that the Portrush RNLI Raft Race 2026 will take place on Saturday 23 May. The much-loved annual fundraiser, which draws rafters, families and spectators from across the area, is once again being staged in aid of RNLI Portrush, with entries now officially open. Organisers say the event is “all systems go” , with extensive planning already under way behind the scene

(Photo Credit: Nathan Williams) Lifeguards will return to the sands of the North Coast this Good Friday, marking a significant double milestone for the RNLI as the charity enters a new season of coastal protection. From 3 April to 12 April , six of the region’s most popular beaches will be patrolled daily between 10am and 6pm . The seasonal rollout coincides with the 25th anniversary of the RNLI’s lifeguarding service across the UK, and a special 15-year anniversary for the s

‘Machiko Nancy‘ – a new £2.7 million Shannon class lifeboat to serve with Larne RNLI (Image: Jason Bain / RNLI) A new £2.7 million Shannon class lifeboat has arrived at Larne RNLI, marking a significant milestone for the County Antrim station as it prepares to replace its long-serving Trent class lifeboat, Dr John McSparran. The state-of-the-art all-weather lifeboat reached Larne at 1358hrs (1.58pm) on Sunday 15 February — timed to coincide with the number displayed on its hu

Judy Nelson (Lifeboat Press Officer RNLI), John Moore (Author), Jane Booth (General Manager White House), Bob Milton (Chair Fundraising team RNLI), Val McDonald (chair of REACH). A new book celebrating the rich social history of Portrush has proved a remarkable success, selling out within weeks of its launch and raising £1,600 for two much-loved local charities. Portrush Reflections, written by local author John Moore, was launched on 26 November last year and had completely

Images: Jason Bain / Larne RNLI Larne RNLI volunteers came to the aid of three crew members onboard a broken-down fishing boat on Monday afternoon (29 December), after the vessel became at risk of being pushed onto rocks off the County Antrim coast. The volunteer lifeboat crew were tasked at 12.03pm following a call from HM Coastguard, after one of the fishermen reported that their vessel had suffered a breakdown near the Maidens Lighthouse, placing them in danger. Larne RNLI

L-R: Jan McCrudden, her son Portrush RNLI lifeboat volunteer Roo McCrudden and Roo’s granny Pat Torbitt As the RNLI launches its annual Christmas fundraising appeal, volunteers across the UK and Ireland are preparing to spend the festive season on call — including Portrush RNLI crewmember Richard “Roo” McCrudden , for whom lifesaving is very much a family tradition. Roo will remain on standby throughout the Christmas period, while his mother Jan and 92-year-old grandmother

Photos: Jason Bain / RNLI Larne Larne RNLI launched its all-weather lifeboat on Saturday afternoon (9 November) to assist four divers stranded after their rib suffered engine failure off the County Antrim coast. The volunteer crew launched the Dr John McSparran lifeboat at 1.47pm at the request of HM Coastguard, after one of the divers onboard the rib raised the alarm. Coxswain Barry Kirkpatrick, Mechanic Scott Leitch, and crew members Jordan McIlhinney, Catherine Lee, Ross

Larne Lifeboat Dr John McSparran (Image: Jason Bain/RNLI Larne) The volunteer crew of Larne RNLI launched their all-weather lifeboat Dr John McSparran on Friday afternoon (7 November) following reports of a yacht in difficulty off the County Antrim coast. At 1.26pm, HM Coastguard requested the launch after a crew member onboard the yacht raised the alarm. Conditions at the time were described as fine, with light winds and calm seas. Among those responding was volunteer crew m

The bell ringing ceremony for the Larne RNLI Shannon class all-weather lifeboat Machiko Nancy 13-58 at the All-Weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole. The ceremony was attended by donor Michael Cameron and several crew members from Larne lifeboat station. (Images: Nathan Williams) A new Shannon class lifeboat is on its way to Larne RNLI, marking the beginning of a new era in lifesaving for the coastal community after 25 years of dedicated service from its outgoing Trent class lifeb

All-weather lifeboat towing casualties back to safety of Ballylumford Harbour (Image: Jack Healy/RNLI) The volunteer crew of Larne RNLI...

Larne RNLI (Image: Jason Bain/RNLI) The volunteer crew of Larne RNLI launched their lifeboats on Thursday afternoon (25 September) after...

RNLI crews pictured off the Larne coast, County Antrim. (Image: Jason Bain/RNLI) Volunteer lifeboat crews from Larne RNLI launched a...

Larne RNLI came to the aid of three people after their Rib suffered engine failure four and a half miles off the Larne coast on Thursday...